March 29, 2024
BANGOR STATE FAIR

Slots project no hurdle for fair parking

BANGOR – Despite a $131 million construction project across the street, Bangor State Fair patrons should see little difference from last year when it comes to traffic and parking.

As has been the case for years, fairgoers will have access to on-site parking, albeit slightly less than last year.

That’s because the racing casino Hollywood Slots at Bangor is leasing a portion of the parking area in front of the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center.

Mike Dyer, director of Bass Park, said the racino is using the space for its employees’ vehicles, overflow parking for patrons of its interim slots facility at the former Miller’s Restaurant on Main Street, and workers with Cianbro, the general contractor building the permanent complex. The complex is just across Main Street from the fairgrounds.

The rest of that lot, located off Dutton Street, will be made available to fair patrons at $5 per space as part of an annual fundraiser for the Bangor Y.

Dyer estimated last week that the available portion of the Dutton Street lot can accommodate roughly 100 vehicles.

In recent months, the flow of traffic on Main Street has seen occasional interruption due to blasting and underground utility installation at the site of Penn National Gaming Inc.’s permanent casino.

In addition, Dutton Street was dug up, making for rough driving there.

With that work complete, traffic on Main Street has returned to normal and Penn National’s general contractor, Cianbro Corp., is gearing up to repave Dutton Street, as well as adjacent parking areas.

The repaving project will be completed in time for the fair, which runs from July 27 through Aug. 5, Hollywood Slots spokeswoman Amy Kenney said last week.

“The folks from Cianbro really put a priority on that,” Kenney said. “The public has been so patient with the construction on Main and Dutton streets.”

Also available will be the Bangor Raceway infield, which can hold about 1,000 vehicles, and the small lot adjacent to the skate park, which can accommodate another 40 or so vehicles, Dyer said.

The city’s fee for using the infield, which vehicles should enter from the middle entrance on Buck Street, will be $4 per vehicle, he said.

The Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau has been granted use of the skate park lot, which can be accessed from Buck Street, also for fundraising. The visitors bureau will charge $4 per space.

Offsite parking also is available on side streets near Bass Park, as well as on private property some homeowners offer as part of a small cottage industry during fair season, Dyer said.

Bangor Daily News offers parking in its lot off Buck Street during the fair. All proceeds go to Bangor Daily News Charities.


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like